4,812 older Australians died waiting for appropriate home care in 2024-25

The brutal reality of the inadequacies of the current aged care system was laid bare at the Australian Government's Additional Senate Estimates on Wednesday (11 February).

In 2024-25, 4,812 older people died waiting for the level of home care they had been assessed as needing, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing revealed - a significant increase on the 3,383 deaths recorded in 2023-24.

The figures come as nearly 350,000 older Australians wait for care at home, either to be assessed or to receive the correct level of Support at Home package.

The waiting list for the correct level of Support at Home package climbed to 131,366 as of 31 December 2025, up from 107,281 on 31 October 2025.

Of those waiting for Support at Home at year end, 36,403 were receiving Interim packages at 60% of total funding, while 94,463 had no funding in place.

Average wait times to receive Support at Home have stretched to nine months, with many receiving only 60% of funding.

As of 31 December 2025, 103,527 older Australians were waiting for an aged care assessment - down from 1113,150 as of 31 October 2025.

During the hearing, Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie cited the case of a 99-year-old couple advised they could wait up to 12 months for upgraded Support at Home, by which time both would be 100. She questioned the Department on the prioritisation of Support at Home packages.

Long waits for aged care assessments and home care are having devastating consequences on older Australians. More than three months into the new Aged Care Act, the situation has not improved.

On Thursday, 12 September 2024, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his government "will deliver historic aged care reforms to ensure the viability and quality of aged care, and support growing numbers of older Australians choosing to retain their independence and remain in their homes as they age."